USA Swimming offers 24 of the country's best distance swimmers the opportunity for a unique motivational and educational experience.  The National Open Water Camp is an intergral step for athletes to move from the pool to Open Water and then to the international scene.

Description and Purpose:

From June 4-8, 2013, USA Swimming will sponsor The National Open Water Select Camp in Fort Myers, FL. USA Swimming seeks to identify the best distance swimmers, offering them a unique motivational and educational experience. The National Open Water Camp is viewed as an integral step for athletes to move from the pool to Open Water, then to the international scene. 

Eligibility:

8 male and 8 female athletes will be selected off of the top 2012 times in the Swims database in the 1500 meter freestyle. An additional 4 male and 4 female athletes will be selected off of the results of the 2012 5K National Open Water Championships.

Other criteria:

• Only Long Course times are considered.
• Qualification timeframe: January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012.
• Athlete must be registered with USA Swimming.
• All athletes must be US citizens.
• Athletes who have previously attended a National Open Water Select Camp or have been a member of any USA Swimming National Open Water Team are not eligible for Camp. Athletes can attend one National Open Water Select Camp. An athlete who turns down the opportunity would be eligible the following year if he/she still meets the criteria. An athlete who accepts the invitation and does not attend is not eligible the following year unless an alternate was able to attend in his/her place,

Location:

The camp location will be at Florida Gulf Coast University. 

Dates:

The preferred date for the camps is in conjunction with the Open Water Nationals. However, since the Open Water Nationals is in April this year as opposed to the typical June timeframe, the 2013 camp dates are June 4-8th and will be held separate of the National Championships. This year's camp will focus on the usual skills & strategies, but will have an additional training component.  Athletes will learn strategies, OW technique, nutrition and recovery for open water, and much, much more from elite Open Water coaches.

Staff:

USA Swimming will select a the staff for each camp. At least one male and one female assistant must be on the staff. In addition, one National Open Water Team athlete will attend the camp and at least one member of the USA Swimming National Headquarters staff will attend to assist with educational sessions.
 
This year’s 2013 National Open Water Select Camp Staff is as follows:
Rick Walker             Athlete/Home Coach Training & Education
Denny Ryther          Athlete/Home Coach Training & Education

Shannon Gillespy    Athlete/Home Coach Training & Education                     
John Payne             Head Manager  

Andy Wagner          Men's Manager

Kacey McCaffrey    Women's Manager
Mariejo Truex          USA Swimming Camp Director          

Alicia Kendig           USOC Sports Dietician

Dr. Lenny Wiersma USA Swimming Sports Psychologist

Alex Meyer              Elite Athlete Representative

Camp Schedule:

The 2013 Camp will include long course workouts, salt water workouts and fresh water workouts in addition to educational sessions. The athletes will also be entered into a local 5k event as part of the camp.  They will represent their home teams.  Athletes are required to stay the entire time and must stay onsite in the accommodations provided by the host.  Tentative itinerary coming soon.

For more information please email Camp Director, Mariejo (MJ) Truex here.